Town Square

Voluntary 'execution' by the state...a thought exercise

There is a lot argument about involuntary execution by the state, for incarcerated murderers. One big issue is about the method of execuation, especially lethal injection.

I would like to move the issue to voluntary execution by the state, independent of prisoners. I support doctor assisted suicide. I simply cannot understand what the objection is, other than that some doctors refuse to do it.

OK, so my thought exercise is this:

The State of California rents out its death chamber at San Quentin to civilians who want to die. It would be a very strightforward deal, I pay for my own death, because I want to die, and no longer face my own pain. San Quentin can franchise it, if they want.

Oregon already has doctor-assisted suicide, and it is time for California to follow. However, until we do, we could at least make some money off of it.

Once a few thousand civilians take advantage of the service, there might be judges who understand that being put to sleep is not cruel and unusual punishment, and the murderers can alco be put out of existence.

I did not mean it as satire. I want people to start thinking about voluntary assisted suicide. Clearly, if thousands of people bought the service of 'execution', it would serve two purposes:

1. Suffereing people could relieve their pain, painlessly, perhaps with their family surrounding them (like Jackie Onassis). There are many bigots who oppose personal choice in such matters. It is time that we just get over it.

Posted by Ducatigirl
a resident of Old Palo Alto
on Nov 14, 2012 at 7:32 pm

John: I totally understand what you mean, as the victim of a progressive and debilitating disease. There is a Frontline episode called "Suicide Tourism" available on Roku that is worth watching. It is about suicide in Switzerland, and I wholeheartedly agree with it. I would like to go in the manner of the man in the episode, before I become too much of a burden to others and humiliation to myself.

In Oregon, you must become a resident and prove that you have six months or less to live. If San Quentin were to rent out its death chamber, we could have a peaceful passing as in the Swiss manner shown in "Suicide Tourism".

We do this for the pets we love; why can we not do this for ourselves?

Posted by geraldine
a resident of Community Center
on Nov 14, 2012 at 7:38 pm

In one thread a person talks about hiking, biking, walking, going to the gym, playing with grandchildren on a daily basis on another thread a person claims to be a victim of a debilitating disease. Sounds like someone is crying out for attention.

Posted by Anon.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Nov 14, 2012 at 9:18 pm

Just the idea of this is so ridiculous in so many ways, legally, socially, morally, politically, etc .... I really have to wonder if you are sane?

Even should they allow physician assisted end of life ... doing it inside a prison as a "service" is ludicrous. Who would want to spend their last hours in a prison, making your relatives go there, or being surrounding by prisoners and guards, it's almost like one of those Japanese ideas that is supposed to be kind of fuctional but more of a joke. Silly, but not funny enough to create a laugh ... just kind of sad.